Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-12
The National Park.

If they do not now, the time will soon
come when the people of all the Union viii
the legislation which sets apart
as National pleasure grounds large tract
of country on the SUBMITS of the Rocky
Mountains, where Nature in magnificent
grandeur displays SO much of her wonder
full works 1t is the highest watershed OF
the mountain range, and there are the |
head springs of great rivers which flow in |
many directions. Lakes and geysers and
canons; towering mountain-peaks and
wales and waterfalls make its surface Q |
continual scene of amazement to the mind
till it is lost in admiration. Besides the |
purposes of National Park proper, it was
intended also that it should be the last ant
secure home for the buffalo and other
animals and birds, natives of the region, |
from the spelling band, the ruthless men,
who in their westward tramp for gain and
sport spare not the objects in which the |
people and the government desire shall re- |
main as they came from the hands Of the
Creator. All manner of depredations have
been committed, and hundreds of squatters
have used the unlawful opportunities they
could sieze upon to appropriate the park
and it's treasures to their own purposes
Railroad schemers and lobbyists have been
besieging Congress for legislation comforting
special grants upon monopolists. Senator
Vest, of Missouri, is fighting all these
schemes, and laboring zealously to secure
proper legislation for protecting the park,
and opening it, with proper restrictions, to
persons who will be allowed to transact
business there. A special annual appIo-
priation of funds is necessary, which he
proposes shall be expended under just and
wise regulations in order that the place
may fulfill the object of its establishment
as National pleasure-ground, and the one
particular place where the noble animals Of
the prairies and forests in the independence
of their habits, and the birds in their native
element, shall alike, with the preservation
of natures grand works, be forever
special duty of the government to provide
for.
Congress has been slow in adopting
measures for this purpose. Against the
depradations constantly going on, the H.
terror Department could not provide ,.regu-
lations and enforce them successfully with.
out a strong police force, and to meet these
necessities for the time being, military
force was placed under the orders of that
department, and now the public interests
making roads and necessary improvements
is going on with somewhat accelerated
vigor, but legislation, as suggested by
Senator Vests bill, is urgent. Company
''M,' First Cavalry, Captain M. Harris,
was detailed and Secretary Lamar has
made Captain Harris Superintendent Of the
Park. His report of the condition in which
he found things when he assumed control,
and the progress he has made, have been
published. The editor of Forest and Stream
has given much attention to this public
interest, which should be a special favorIte
with the people of the whole country, and
he pronounces Captain Harris a most
fortunate selection for the service. The
report makes many suggestions which will
aid the proper consideration Of Senator
Vests bill. The neighboring Indians have
been especially troublesome in devastating
large sections of the Park with fire which
rayaged those high wind-swept regions
Captain Harris suggests stringent laws
with authority to enforce them with stern
vigor.
Captain Dan G. Kingman, of the Engi-
neer Corps Of the Army, is in charge of
the construction and improvement of the
roads, but Captain Harris says the appre-
priatiou is entirely inadequate. The hotel
accommodations, the transportation in the
Park, the leases, &C., are all thoroughly
discussed. He furnishes copies of the rules
and regulations which he has established,
and laments the DETACHMENT of the natural
curiosities which vandalism has made, but
which he has to some extent broken up for
the future. The Forest and Stream in this
connection remarks ''It is most unfortu-
nate that, comprehending, SO well what is
needed, he should lack the tools to carry
out his recommendation. To be able to
employ trained mountain-men in the service
of the government, to watch trained noun
tain men who are not in its employ, and
others who are trying to rob the Park of
some of its most attractive features, is a
measure he is as yet wholly unable to have
the benefit ef." The authority quoted in
vokes the Interior Department to adopt
his rules and regulations, and hopes that
Congress will at once pass Senator Vests
bill.
SHIP WRECKED, AND LIVES LOsT.-The
German ship Elizabeth, Capt Frederick
G. Halberstadt, from Hamburg for Balti-